Waterproof dog coat

With the success of the last dog coat I made, I was asked to make another one - this time, a waterproof coat.

So what fabric do I know that is waterproof?  I did have a horse blanket that somebody had sent me, but that wasn't quite what I was after for this project.

So out came the trusty oilcloth.

But what did I want to line it with?  I've found that it's always a good idea have two fabrics of similar weights to sew together.  But what could I use?

I know!  Something that is warm and will dry quickly.  Yep!  Fleece!

I tinkered with the design a little to make it a good fit.

And here is the end result:

It was easier (and warmer for the dog!) to use fleece for the collar.  I couldn't imagine adding a stiff oilcloth collar to it.

And this is the warm, furry underside!  Nice enough to wrap yourself in!

I'm hoping to get photos of the coat in action and will add them when I can.

Next...

Floral spring time skirt

Have you ever spotted some fabric that you fell in love with straight away?

Yep?  Me too!

I discovered some gorgeous spring flower fabric and bought two metres of it straight away.  I didn't have a single clue about what I was going to do with it at the time, mind you!

But over time it became apparent.

A skirt with a frill at the bottom!

Why did I choose to make that in particular?

Hmmmm.  Well, it just seemed 'right'.

So here it is...

One of the things I like about making clothes is that you can make them precisely how you like - you are not tied to any particular design or colour.  You can be creative and make it up as you go along :)

The skirt has a side zip (easy enough to incorporate) and a frill along the bottom.

I can't wait to wear it when it gets a bit warmer!!

Next...

Twirly wirly skirts

I was asked to make some circular skirts for a dance show.  Yes, of course - let me at 'em!!

Did I know how to make them?

Nope!

Was I willing to learn as I went on?

Abso-bloomin'-lutely!!

Take one complete circle of fabric...

 

And cut out the hole for the waist...

 

Then add a waistband.

 

Easy peasy right?

 

Um, not quite as straightforward as it sounds!!

 

First I had to do some calcuations to figure out how large the waist hole ought to be.  I haven't used maths in earnest in years LOL!

 



 

When that was sorted out I just had to create the waistband and then hem the bottom.

One of the skirts even had a net underskirt too which could stand up on its own!

 

And here they are in action!

 

 

 

Next...

 

 



Miaow bag from faux fur coat!

One day I had an thought.

What if I used some fur fabric to make a bag?

And what if that bag could be a, well, cat?

Would that work, do you think?

So I had a go cutting up a child's faux fur coat for the fabric.

The bag has felt features and a webbing handle.  Perfect for little hands.

I figured out the ears as I went along.

And I thought I would give the mouth more definition by sewing lines in the fur - you can just make it out below:

The interior is lined with felt.

I think next time I might add a magnetic snap in there too.

Next...